Our environmental commitment also extends to the winery. In 2008, we unveiled an ambitious solar project. Comprised of 960 individual solar modules capable of producing approximately 280,000 kilowatt hours per year, this 20,000-square-foot solar photovoltaic system generates enough energy to offset 100% of the winery’s PG&E bill. Over a 30-year period it will have the amazing environmental benefit of reducing greenhouse gases by 4,513,275 lbs. In practical terms, this is the equivalent to planting over 40,000 trees.

In 2011, we installed a state-of-the-art water processing system to purify all water used during wine production. This system uses natural biological organisms to separate organic matter from the process water. The system allows us to return almost 100% of the process water (approx. 1 million gallons a year) to the vineyard for irrigation. Other than this, only run-off rainwater captured and saved in the winery’s reservoir is used for irrigation.

Beginning in the early 1980s (long before the term sustainable was ever used), we were one of the first wineries to plant cover crops as a method for soil conservation and erosion prevention. 100% of the grapes grown on the estate vineyard come from blocks that are farmed using organic methods. In 2012, the entire vineyard, totaling 104 acres, finished an extensive three-year certification process with the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and is now certified organic.